John F. Kennedy The 35 th U.S. President Vice President: Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ)

Notes Directions: Copy only the blue text. On your paper, number 1-3. I have a few questions about the 1960 presidential election.

The 1960 Election: Question 1 International Relations As the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union wore on, opinions varied as to whether and how America should exert a leadership role in the world. Candidate #1: Contends that "American prestige is at an all-time high," thanks to the efforts of the Eisenhower administration. Candidate #2: Citing a loss of prestige, declares that America needed a more activist and imaginative approach to international affairs.

1960 Election: Question 2 The Economy The nation was experiencing an economic recession as the 1950s came to an end. Strategies about how to best stimulate the economy sparked debate. Candidate #1: Urges economic growth through a combination of private enterprise and individual initiative. Candidate #2: Calls for increased government intervention to stimulate the economy.

1960 Election: Question 3 Defense Spending Much attention was paid to what constituted adequate military preparedness during the Cold War. While there was general agreement that the U.S. should match the Soviets' military strength, opinions as to how best to accomplish this task varied. Candidate #1: Asserts that the U.S. has maintained military standing with the Soviet Union, and that military spending should be watched carefully for excess. Candidate #2: Argues that a "missile gap" favoring the Soviet Union makes an increase in defense spending necessary.

Results of the 1960 Election Popular Votes Electoral Votes Kennedy [D]- Candidate 2 34,227,000(49.7%)303 Nixon [R]- Candidate 1 34,109,000(49.5%)219 In 1962, Nixon lost the California gubernatorial race. He claimed “you won’t have Nixon to kick around anymore” – however, he would make one of the greatest political comebacks in American history! White House Tapes (11/1962): Pat Brown and JFK on Nixon’s farewell speech: “Checkers” Speech: 1952: (3 minutes)

John F. Kennedy Astrological Sign: Gemini Nicknames: “Jack” an “JFK” Quote: “Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.” Did You Know? Kennedy received “vitamin shots” from Dr. Max Jacobson, aka Dr. Feelgood, to make his back pains go away. The shots were loaded with amphetamines.

Kennedy’s Election John F. Kennedy – from a wealthy, politically powerful family Good looking, young, and comfortable in front of the television cameras People felt Kennedy represented the future Election of 1960 (Kennedy vs. Nixon) Adopted the term “new frontier” Played on the nation’s Cold War fears Claimed the nation’s prosperity was not reaching the poor Rallied the African American vote when Kennedy called Coretta King after Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested; Robert Kennedy persuaded the judge to release King. One of the closest elections in history

Inaugural address, January 20, 1961 And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country…. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. John F. Kennedy, Inaugural address, January 20, :15 He also promised that man would walk on the moon by the end of the decade. It happened in 1969! Conspiracy? Don’t ask Buzz Aldrin. The Punch:

Inaugural Address Kennedy’s Advisors Focused on change Strong anti-Communist tone Did not specify his domestic policy goals because so much division existed over domestic issues Gathered a group some called “the best and the brightest” as his advisors Most of Kennedy’s advisors were young. Closest advisor was his brother, Robert (“Bobby”) Kennedy Cabinet members had less influence than White House advisors. Kennedy Takes Office JFK, White House Tapes: Upset about a bed (swearing):

Top Left: JFK Top Right: RFK (Attorney General) Bottom Left: Robert McNamara (Secretary of Defense)

Bay of Pigs Invasion – CIA Disaster! Background Fidel Castro was in power in Cuba. Came to power after a guerrilla war, promised to restore people’s rights and freedoms Once in power, he seized private businesses and made overtures to Soviet Union. Kennedy Kennedy learned that the CIA was training troops to invade Cuba and topple Castro. His advisors were mixed. Kennedy was worried about Communism spreading to Latin America. Kennedy gave the go-ahead. The Invasion Bay of Pigs invasion failed. Information was leaked early. Air strikes failed. Castro prepared for a land attack. Invaders were captured and ransomed back to United States. Strengthened Castro’s ties to the Soviet Union

Fidel Castro “If surviving assassination attempts were an Olympic event, I would win the gold medal." Fabian Escalante, Castro’s chief bodyguard, claims that the CIA has attempted to assassinate Castro 638 times! Exploding cigars Deadly fungi infested scuba suit. Mafia style shootings. Poison pills. CASTRO FALLS! D2IKNPFdvII&feature=related

The Cuban Missile Crisis A U.S. U-2 spy plane detected Soviet surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) in Cuba. The Soviets argued that the SAMs were defensive missiles and swore that they didn’t have offensive missiles in Cuba. Later U-2 flights showed that the Soviets had lied. Buildup U.S. actions in the Bay of Pigs and Berlin crises encouraged hard-line leaders in the Soviet Union. The Soviets were worried about another invasion of Cuba and U.S. nuclear missiles placed in Turkey. Kennedy was worried about accusations of being “soft on communism.” Crisis Begins

The Cuban Missile Crisis Khrushchev agreed to dismantle the missiles if the United States pledged to never invade Cuba. Both Kennedy and Khrushchev took steps to ease tensions between their countries. They set up a hotline to allow direct communication during times of crisis. The Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed, ending atmospheric and underwater testing of nuclear weapons. Managing the Crisis Kennedy assembled a group of advisors, known as the ExComm, to help him plan a response. ExComm military members favored an air strike, perhaps followed by a land invasion of Cuba. Others argued for a naval blockade. Kennedy agreed with this plan. The world watched as Soviet ships carrying missile parts approached the naval blockade. They turned back. Effects of the Crisis

Cuba Travel Today Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control: Cuba Sanctions Trading With The Enemy Act (1917) & Cuban Assets Control Regulations (1963): Only pre-cleared “professionals” and those visiting family members may go. Spend less than $100 a day. May face a $250,000 fine and 10 years in prison if above act violated. According to the State Department, the U.S. has increased watch of American travelers to Cuba through Canada and Mexico.

How did Kennedy’s foreign policy reflect his views of the world? Trained and sent volunteers to Africa, Asia, and Latin America to serve for two years Most volunteers were young college graduates Increased goodwill toward the United States Kennedy’s Foreign Policy Believed in peace that did not have to be enforced with weapons of war Believed in peace for Americans and for all men and women around the world Peace Corps Offered billions of dollars in aid to Latin America to build schools, hospitals, roads, power plants, and low-cost housing Intended to counter communism’s influence Alliance for Progress

Kennedy Foreign Policy and the Cold War Kennedy also followed the Cold War policies of his predecessors. He continued the nuclear arms buildup begun by Eisenhower. He continued to follow Truman’s practice of containment. In opposition to “massive retaliation” he developed the strategy of flexible response. Strengthening conventional American forces so the nation would have other options than nuclear weapons in times of crisis

Kennedy’s New Frontier Americans were struck by the youth and vitality of the Kennedy White House. Kennedy’s public image was often different than reality. Kennedy’s narrow victory in 1960 left him without the clear mandate he needed to work well with Congress. The New Frontier came to be symbolized by the exploration of space.

The Kennedy Legacy Kennedy did not have much success with domestic issues. He acknowledged that the nation’s social, economic, and environmental problems would take many years to solve. Foreign Relations Some felt the drama of the Kennedy presidency was more evident than its achievements. However, in foreign affairs, relations with the Soviet Union had improved. The Peace Corp produced goodwill toward the United States. Domestic Achievements

Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty & Speech President Kennedy told Americans in August 1963: “We all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future, and we are all mortal.”

November 22, 1963 Dallas, Texas

JFK & Marilyn Monroe “Happy Birthday, Mr. President.” /watch?v=xYfoj4IGrr4 /watch?v=xYfoj4IGrr4